BSc Mathematics and Physics

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Yr 3 Physics Laboratory (One block)

Course unit fact file
Unit code PHYS30280
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 3
Teaching period(s) Full year
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Third Year Laboratory (Core)

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics PHYS20101 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Electromagnetism PHYS20141 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Introduction to Programming for Physicists PHYS20161 Pre-Requisite Optional
Mathematics of Waves and Fields PHYS20171 Pre-Requisite Optional
Wave Optics PHYS20312 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Statistical Mechanics PHYS20352 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Fundamentals of Solid State Physics PHYS20252 Pre-Requisite Compulsory

Aims

Safety Awareness
Identify hazards associated with apparatus developed by the student him/herself, and undertake a risk assessment.

Investigative/Problem Solving Skills
(i) Conduct and Initiative (planning, preparation, initiative)
    Develop and extend prescribed experimental procedures.
(ii) Technical Expertise
    Be able to handle sophisticated apparatus with confidence.
(iii) Recording and managing data
    Keep professional quality records of laboratory work. Use computer aided data acquisition systems as appropriate.

Analytical skills
(i) Techniques
    Critically evaluate the results of an experiment, assess the significance of the experimental results compared to expected outcomes and draw valid conclusions.
ii) Evaluation of errors
    Describe the sources of random and systematic error, calculate their effects on the results and evaluate ways of reducing the dominant error.

Physics knowledge
Link the experimental findings to underlying physics in lecture courses, textbooks and scientific journals.

Communication skills
(i) Oral presentation
     Describe an experiment in a formal presentation using visual aids, defending procedures, results and interpretation.
(ii) Written presentation
     Describe experiments in the style of a scientific paper and/ or in the form of a conference report.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Practical skills assessment 100%

Feedback methods

Feedback will be offered:

Verbally by demonstrators in lab sessions

Verbally and in writing by demonstrators, when they mark each experiment during the interview

In writing for all lab reports.

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment practical exam 2
Practical classes & workshops 96
Independent study hours
Independent study 2

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Michael Keith Unit coordinator

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